KIPP and B.E.S.T. Schools Get Federal Grant

KIPP Metro Atlanta Collaborative and B.E.S.T. Academy Middle School at Benjamin S. Carson (the Academy), an all-boys’ school within Atlanta Public Schools, have received a federal grant for $160,000 in order to partner to implement strategies for improving student achievement and to develop a positive school climate at the Academy.

“This effort will increase student support for higher expectations, improve student attendance and discipline, provide professional development for teachers, and allow the principal to complete the KIPP School Leadership Principal Prep Program.” according to the schools’ leaders.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded seven Charter School Exemplary Collaboration grants totaling more than $1.2 million to support collaboration between public charter schools, traditional public schools and school districts. Funds will be used to deepen the collaborations and share lessons learned with the education field.

Held for the first time this year, the Charter School Exemplary Collaboration grants program encourages high-quality charter schools, traditional public schools and school districts to share resources and responsibilities, build trust and teamwork, boost academic excellence, and provide students and their parents with a range of effective educational options.

“By sharing best practices, schools can work together to solve persistent challenges in public education,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “It is so important that we break down traditional barriers and all work together to ensure that every child gets the world-class education they deserve.”

“I am eager to learn new strategies for increasing student achievement that will put the students at B.E.S.T. Academy middle school on the path to college,” said Hajj Womack, principal of B.E.S.T. Academy Middle School.

“B.E.S.T. Academy Middle School, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and KIPP Metro Atlanta all have a common goal of ensuring more students are prepared for college. I know that by working together we can reach this goal,” said Greg Hawkins, chairman of 100 Black Men of Atlanta. The 100 are key supporters of the Academy.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program (CSP) has invested more than $255 million in charter schools this year. The purpose of the program is to increase financial support for the startup and expansion of these public schools, build a better national understanding of the public charter school model, and increase the number of high-quality public charter schools across the nation.